Lazies, Julie Herman of Jaybird Quilts just took my Craftsy class Zip It Up and has a review at her blog. Hop over there at the link below to see all of her beautiful creations and read about her experience as a student in her first Craftsy class, hear what she learned/liked, then use the link in her blog post to sign up for Zip It Up at half off!.

Giveaway Clover Blog: Get Kids Sewing In A Pinch

I’m guest blogging at Clover with a quick and easy kids sewing project as well as a chance to win a Hot Hemmer!

When I was little, I had a favorite blanket and my sister had a favorite pillow. Looking back, I think she had the right idea. While sometimes it was too hot for me to snuggle under my blankie, she was never without her pillow. She used her pillow everywhere, year-round – in the car, snuggling with mom, even a trip to the hospital when she had her tonsils out. Remembering how my sister loved her pillow, I designed the In A Pinch travel-sized pillow.

Here’s the cute travel pillow I made for my nephew.
I used a soft brushed cotton novelty print, perfect for long car rides or flights.

Class Project Gallery for Zip It Up

This wraps up what I’ve been up to lately. Oh, and if you are on Instagram, following me there for bag-making Lazy Tips and fun.

Enjoy!
Joan

]]>0Joan Hawleyhttp://www.LazyGirlDesigns.comhttp://www.lazygirldesigns.com/?p=109212015-07-09T15:55:43Z2015-07-09T15:55:43ZLazies, If you’ve been making Bendy Bags (LGD134) like I have, you have some leftover bits waiting for love. Since Bendy’s release in February, Lazies have been posting (or emailing) how they are using these big triangles of fun. I’ve seen everything from a small basket to various zip bags and a small purse. The Bendy Bits is a bonus project based on the pattern, so the tutorial works off of the pattern information.

Bendy Bits, made using leftovers from Bendy Bags. Link for tutorial below.

When making Bendy, we cut away a triangle from all the fabric and fleece layers. Here’s my bin of Bendy bits. Beautiful and ready for something! Those are all the lining fabrics showing.

My big bin of Bendy bits goodness!

Woohoo!
My favorite idea is from Ann Redford who posted this pic below on my Lazy Girl Facebook page. Isn’t that leftover pouch adorable? When I saw this, I contacted Ann and asked if I could share her idea as a free tutorial. Ann gave her blessing to use the idea however I please. Thank you Ann!

Ann cleverly cut an oversized rectangle from the bits. Because of the triangle, the rectangle extends past the fabric at the corners. It’s fabulous because that lack of corner makes a sweet detail. It’s perfect. And, as Ann notes, it fits nicely inside Bendy – creating a set!

Ann encased the ends of her zipper in fabric before installing. You can see that better here on this gorgeous orange pouch she emailed me. For my tutorial, I use the Bendy zip installation and skipped the Bendy zipper casing since it isn’t needed. Both options will work nicely with this size bag. The tutorial is written to use Bendy’s instructions.

Experiment and play with embellishment ideas!

Bits of This and That
Embellishing as Ann did above is a fantastic idea. How many ‘bits’ of other supplies do we have hanging around. Put those bits together and make better bits.

Zip Grab Tab
Since Bendy Bits is a bit smaller in scale than the Bendy Bag, I opted for a more delicate zip grab tab, so this is new. Simply use one side of a zip and offset the ends in the seam. For me, it’s more of a decorative detail than functional. Bits is easy enough to just hold at the edge when zipping. Leaving the tab off might be a consideration if it could get in the way when stowing Bits in another bag.

Beautiful juicy zipper sweetness!

Where is that Zipper Going?
Zippery goodness is happening at the end of the Bendy Bits zip. This is a new tip to tuck away for future use. When turning the project right sides out upon completion, leave about 1″ of the zipper zipped. This gives you leverage to push out the zip end for this result. I stitch far enough away from the zip to allow some of the fabric tape to show. This little bit of fabric tape is our friend, allowing us room to push the zip out nicely.

Often times, this type of construction ends up with a divot and a missing corner, if you will. Turning the zip all the way out like this will take some coercion, but give it a try and be patient. I think the results are worth the effort. Look at that little beauty, it’s sitting atop the bag like royalty!

It looks like tracks of a roller coaster going somewhere scary!

Fabric Tip
In Bendy, we fuse the outside fabric to the fleece. In Bendy Bits, I swapped the lining fabric on one of these little cuties with the cover fabric. The project is so small that it doesn’t doesn’t matter which fabric the fleece is fused to. Fabrics shown on my Bendy Bits in this post are all Orange Crush from Timeless Treasures. You might remember these fabrics from this post.

I think of zippers and fabric as my grown up box of crayons!

Zips, Baby!
All of the zippers shown are 14″ zips from Atkinson Designs. They are beautiful in color, smooth in function and Terry has hand-picked the colors in her line to work nicely with current fabric trends.

Bendy Bits Bonus Project
This project assumes you own the Bendy Bag pattern and have made a Bendy. The tutorial references the Bendy Bag pattern instructions. The tutorial is at the bottom of the Classes page:Bendy Bits Tutorial

Thank you for joining in on the fun of Bendy and sharing pics of your Bendy Bags and how you’ve used your leftover bits. Comment below with a kudos and thank you to Ann!

Enjoy!
Joan

]]>6Joan Hawleyhttp://www.LazyGirlDesigns.comhttp://www.lazygirldesigns.com/?p=108212015-07-06T16:30:33Z2015-07-06T16:30:33ZLazies, Have you ever had a tool or notion that was so essential you couldn’t imagine going without it? I can think of plenty in my tool box that fit that bill. Today I want to tell you about the 2×4 Mighty Mini Board (item 7800) from my Clover Press Perfect line.

Small Size, Big Features
The 2×4 Mighty Mini Board is chock full of features and design considerations. Want to know what I told Clover when we talked about creating a small board? I said I want it all. After having owned a number of small boards that all left me aggravated, I had a pretty stern checklist of features, size, shape, etc. Clover delivered on every single item!

Clover 2×4 Mighty Mini Board, item 7800

What You Don’t See
You can see that the Might Mini is loaded with features. But what you can’t fully appreciate until you try it is the ‘oh my gosh’ factor.

Here’s what I mean.
– Do you ever find yourself bending over your regular ironing board to get a closer look at your work?
– Do you wish you had an extra hand to help control a project while pressing?
– Hate wrestling with a project to get it flat on the board?
– Have you ever struggled to wrangle something onto your regular board?

Solving these problems are the ‘oh my gosh’ moments where you’ll thank yourself for having this tool at your fingertips.

I Can See!
One of the biggest things I like about the Mighty Mini is purely basic. By using it on top of my regular board, it raises my project up and brings it closer to me. I can see what I’m doing and isolate part of the project.

An Extra Hand?
By using the Mighty Mini on top of your regular board or other surface, the board isolates and controls part of your project and forces the rest to relax nearby, no longer pulling and in charge.

Getting Flat
Things are easier to press when they are flat. By raising the pressing surface a few inches, a shirt collar obeys the Mighty Mini Board and the rest of the shirt hangs out on the regular board, waiting its turn.

A small board offers great control!

A Good Fit
Lots of big projects have small parts, nooks, crannies, etc. They don’t all fit on the regular ironing board. Wouldn’t it be great if there was an ironing board that fit those tough challenges? Use the Mighty Mini to press the small stuff and the regular board for the rest.

Isolate a seam without
pressing creases nearby

So, if you are like me, you know a good tool when it crosses your path you can tell that it was designed by someone who uses it in real life and it solves problems.

]]>0Joan Hawleyhttp://www.LazyGirlDesigns.comhttp://www.lazygirldesigns.com/?p=108582015-06-28T19:46:11Z2015-06-28T16:00:04ZLazies, Julie Herman of Jaybird Quilts just took my Craftsy class Zip It Up and has a review and giveaway at her blog. Hop over there at the link below to see all of her beautiful creations and read about her experience as a student in her first Craftsy class, hear what she learned/liked, and enter her giveaway for some goodies. Hop over there soon because her giveaway ends June 30, 2015.

Julie’s Projects
I’m really excited that Julie tried ripstop nylon in her Bendy. Looks like it worked out great. Ripstop is fabulous for this project because it’s very lightweight and will conform easily to Bendy’s fabulous bends. The nylon also adds a bit of water resistance to the lining, making Bendy great for make-up, snacks and the like. Love the purple!

Scrumptious purple ripstop nylon lining on Julie’s rainbow Bendy.

I was thrilled that Julie made all three projects in the class and found uses for the bags! Her Nickita bag, done in Tula Pink fabrics with some beautiful cross-hatch quilting, is fantastic.

Student Project Gallery and Discount
Want to see what everyone is making? Hop over to the project page at the link below.Student Project Gallery

Class Sign-up, Discount, and More!
Remember when you sign up for the class, come back to my blog and use the class link below to enroll in my Zip It Up class at 50% off by June 30, 2015 and you will be entered in a giveaway to win a free class at Craftsy! I’ll notify the winner in early July 2015.CLASS LINK: Zip It Up Class – Info, 50% off enrollment and Giveaway

Good Times
I don’t know if I’m supposed to be having this much fun as the teacher, but I am really enjoying my classmates at Craftsy. I love seeing project photos from the class and the questions/discussions are fantastic. Thank you my Craftsy Lazy Girls for making the class fun for me, too!

Enjoy!
Joan

]]>1Joan Hawleyhttp://www.LazyGirlDesigns.comhttp://www.lazygirldesigns.com/?p=108382015-06-24T18:18:23Z2015-06-24T16:08:00ZLazies, Catch up on the most popular and recent Lazy happenings and blog posts (including two giveaways below!). Click ‘Read more…’ below any article to see the whole story.

About ‘Zip It Up’
Join me in making three of my favorite zippered bags: Runaround, Nickita and our new Bendy. Use this link to enroll in my Zip It Up class at 50% off by June 30, 2015 and you will be entered in a giveaway to win a free class at Craftsy! I’ll notify the winner in early July 2015. LINK: Zip It Up Class – Info, 50% off enrollment and Giveaway

Zip It Up class enrollment Includes:
7 high def video lessons totaling 2 3/4 hours of Lazy goodness
Class materials: resources and PDF download patterns for all three projects
(This class is the only place to get Bendy as a PDF download!)
Personalized guidance from me for your questions
Opportunity to share pics of your class projects with me and other students

What I Cover In Class
Three bag projects from start to finish
Three different zipper installation techniques
All my juicy tips and tidbits along the way

Lazies, The following is the email sent by Craftsy to their subscribers, announcing my class launch last Monday. I’m posting it here in case you missed it, like I did! Enroll by June 30, 2015 using the class links below to save 50% and automatically be entered in a drawing to win a second Craftsy class of your choice. Enjoy! Joan

When you know how to cleanly and confidently install a zipper, you have an essential skill in your toolbelt that you can apply to project after project for stunning, functional results. Hi, I’m author, teacher and blogger Joan Hawley! Join me in my online Craftsy class, Zip It Up: Easy Techniques for Zippered Bags, and learn three handy methods to install zippers in any bag project.

During class, you’ll practice installing these zippers on three fun, trendy bags: a classic travel purse, a cute tote and a unique pouch. With each bag, you’ll learn a new method and when that method will be most helpful. Along the way, you’ll improve your cutting, sewing and pressing using essential techniques that you’ll want to have in the skill bank for any bag project.

Have you ever had a tool or notion that was so essential you couldn’t imagine going without it? I can think of plenty in my tool box that fit that bill. Today I want to tell you about the 2×4 Mighty Mini Board and a giveaway!

Lazies, Is there anything hotter than a clean iron? Ha! Let’s get down and dirty today and talk about the dreaded task of cleaning your iron. Ugh, right? Sometimes the tools to fix a problem are just as bad as the problem itself – smelly, messy, hateful. Well, not anymore. Last week at Quilt Market was all about my next product with Clover – the Iron Shine Cleaning Pen. Look at this little cutie!

This wraps up what I’ve been up to lately. Oh, and if you are on Instagram, following me for more bag-making Lazy Tips.

Enjoy!
Joan

]]>7Joan Hawleyhttp://www.LazyGirlDesigns.comhttp://www.lazygirldesigns.com/?p=108042015-06-24T18:16:53Z2015-06-22T17:29:03ZLazies, The following is the email sent by Craftsy to their subscribers, announcing my class launch last Monday. I’m posting it here in case you missed it, like I did! Enroll by June 30, 2015 using the class links below to save 50% and automatically be entered in a drawing to win a second Craftsy class of your choice. Enjoy! Joan

When you know how to cleanly and confidently install a zipper, you have an essential skill in your toolbelt that you can apply to project after project for stunning, functional results. Hi, I’m author, teacher and blogger Joan Hawley! Join me in my online Craftsy class, Zip It Up: Easy Techniques for Zippered Bags, and learn three handy methods to install zippers in any bag project.

During class, you’ll practice installing these zippers on three fun, trendy bags: a classic travel purse, a cute tote and a unique pouch. With each bag, you’ll learn a new method and when that method will be most helpful. Along the way, you’ll improve your cutting, sewing and pressing using essential techniques that you’ll want to have in the skill bank for any bag project.

I’ll start class by teaching you how to choose the right materials. In this first lesson, you’ll also get tips for quickly and accurately cutting fabric, choosing presser feet and setting your needle position.

When we move on, we’ll get started on our first bag: the Runaround Bag. I’ll show you a foolproof method for zipper installation, teach you to create the back pocket and lay out how to make the strap. Topstitching will add a gorgeous, finished look to both the zipper and pocket!

At this point, you’ll probably wonder why your bag is inside out. It will all make sense as you carefully stitch and finish the seams. As you turn the bag right side out and smooth it, you’ll see why pressing makes such a big difference.

Want a bag that’s a bit handier for stowing supplies? For your second project, you’ll create the Nickita Bag, a box–shaped tote that’s ready to tackle your organizational needs. I’ll teach you more about the how and why of topstitching and help you create the handles. You’ll even see my special technique for working past the pull and the end knot to easily install a zipper.

Then, it’s time to attach the handles and find, mark and stitch the corners of your new bag. Once the corners are trimmed and ready, you’ll see how to give the bag shape and learn some more advanced — but totally approachable — pressing techniques. They’re sure to give your piece a polished look you’ll love!

As we dive into our next project, the fun and funky Bendy Bag, get ready to have a blast! This whimsical pouch complete with bend seams will give you the perfect chance to practice preparing a zipper case. You’ll also find out how to cleanly and beautifully stitch the zipper to the lining and cover pieces, and create sophisticated faux piping with topstitching.

For our final lesson, finish your Bendy Bag by measuring, marking and stitching the bend seams and adding the cute zipper–casing grab–tab. Enroll in Zip It Up: Easy Techniques for Zippered Bags and you’ll even learn how to create trendy boxed corners and discover more ways to press like a pro.

Part of why my career has been successful is because I’m lazy. Does that seem counterintuitive? Let me explain: My passion as a sewer is to find the easiest and most fun path to a successful project, and as an instructor, my goal is to equip you with those same techniques. After all, when there’s no fuss, it makes room for fun!

When I’m not teaching, I’m writing or designing. I design notions for Clover Needlecraft, my own pattern line and my own line of interfacing: Sew Lazy. You can find my patterns, check out my writing and experience my love of bags firsthand on my site, Lazy Girl Designs!

So stretch yourself in a new direction — add to your knowledge base, surprise yourself and fall in love with new techniques. Craftsy classes make it easy, with online–video lessons you can follow at your own pace whenever you want, wherever you want. Plus, your access never expires!

]]>7Joan Hawleyhttp://www.LazyGirlDesigns.comhttp://www.lazygirldesigns.com/?p=107592015-06-16T13:34:25Z2015-06-16T00:18:35ZLazies, My Craftsy class ‘Zip It Up: Easy Techniques For Zippered Bags’ has launched! Zip It Up is a great foundation class to build your zipper and bag-making skills. We’ll make three small bags, where you’ll learn a variety of techniques. I also share my shortcuts and tips that make construction easy and give my creations a professional look. Read on for details, a 50% off link for enrollment, and a giveaway.

About ‘Zip It Up’
Join me in making three of my favorite zippered bags: Runaround, Nickita and our new Bendy, all shown below.

Zip It Up class enrollment Includes:
7 high def video lessons totaling 2 3/4 hours of Lazy goodness
Class materials: resources and PDF download patterns for all three projects
(This class is the only place to get Bendy as a PDF download!)
Personalized guidance from me for your questions
Opportunity to share pics of your class projects with me and other students

What I Cover In Class
Three bag projects from start to finish
Three different zipper installation techniques
All my juicy tips and tidbits along the way

– Choose and fuse fleece
– Choose the right presser feet
– Determine needle position for seams and topstitching
– Working with directional fabric
– Tips for fabric alignment

– Manage bulk at seams
– Work with landmarks in your project
– Boxed corners: matching, single, notched, folded
– Add a zipper casing
– Pressing techniques for small projects, shape and finish
– See how I assess and manage my work throughout each project

Resources
I’ve added a Classes tab to the top menu bar at my website, where you’ll always be able to find info about the Zip It Up class and a discount link. It includes links to resources for class supplies and a few project photos.

More Info
The link above will take you to the class page at Craftsy where you can watch the introduction video, read the class/lesson descriptions and enroll at 50% off.

I don’t travel around and teach much any more. So this is an opportunity to join me in class from the comfort of your own home and jammies.

Like/Share/Comment
Please Like and share this post to tell your Lazy friends about the class and the discount link!

I can’t wait to see you in class!

Enjoy!
Joan

]]>4Joan Hawleyhttp://www.LazyGirlDesigns.comhttp://www.lazygirldesigns.com/?p=106712015-06-08T18:19:54Z2015-06-08T12:20:53ZLazies, Last week we toured my Craftsy experience behind the scenes and what it was like to tape my class. Next week, my class launches! This week, let me tell you about my experience as a student, how I choose classes, the ones I’ve taken and why. I’ve been sewing since I was 12 years old. I’ve made my own suits/dresses, home dec, quilts, bags, etc. I’ve been around the sewing galaxy for a while, I’ve seen a lot and I know a lot. I’m self-taught and there is always more to learn.

Here’s a peek at me on the set!

Getting busy on the Craftsy set!

Why I Take Classes
Classes are a great way to learn. I’ve taken classes at quilt shops, stores and now at Craftsy. I’m not always focused on the project of the class so much. I’m more interested in watching someone do it and tell me all about it: techniques, tricks, how to use tools, work with supplies, etc.

I take classes that help me expand and be better at my craft or interest. The class project is either a bonus if I’m interested, or just the stage upon which to show me the good stuff.

Here are the Craftsy classes I’m enrolled in and why:

Hoop Savvy with Lisa Shaw
My friend Lisa Shaw knows her way around the embroidery world. For me – that’s another planet in our solar system. I know about it, I haven’t visited there. Hoop Savvy is a basics class that introduced me to the lingo, tools, tricks and how-tos of embroidery. What can be embroidered and how. Stabilizers and different hoops. Problem areas and how to avoid them. Tricky situations and how to handle them.

Simple as that. All of those things were hurdles for me, keeping me on this planet rather than launching me to the planet of embroidery. I get it now. I’m prepared to travel to the embroidery world. More from Lisa in an upcoming post!

Sew Sturdy Travel Organizers with Annie Unrein
I’ve known Annie for more years than I can figure out at the moment. How’s that – let’s call it a long time. She’s a bag lady, like I am. I love her zippers and Soft & stable, too. Taking Annie’s class was a treat for me. I got to see my friend in action, working with vinyl, zippers, mesh and more. Annie masterfully presented a variety of elements which could intimidate, and did it all with a really pleasant and inviting demeanor.

As a bonus, I was able to learn more about Annie’s fantastic zippers, how to work with zipper tape and add zipper pulls. Annie has a nice technique for hiding the seam allowance at the edge of the fabric tape – nicely done Annie!

Underneath It All with Linda Lee
Linda Lee is one of those big staple names in the sewing arena. I loved her class all about the world of things under the surface of the fabric. Namely interfacings, linings, etc. It is always quality time when you can learn from a pro. Linda knows her stuff and presents this huge field of information in an organized and sensible way. I was describing this world to my hubster after taking the class. I said clothing construction is like bringing together three main worlds of ingredients: fabric, support material, pattern. Matching the fabric to the right pattern is tricky. Knowing what interfacing to pair it with is tricky. Stretching beyond the ordinary, into the ‘I didn’t know you could do that’, is fabulous!

Linda showed a long coat made of a large-fibered loose weave fabric that would have caused me to run screaming. She simply interfaced it and it became a very workable and wearable material. There’s the love right there. Being able to make the materials sing together and be better. Really cool stuff.

Sew Smarter: 30 Professional Techniques with Katrina Walker
I enrolled in this class because I wanted to know what I don’t know. What does Katrina know that I should know? Simply put, Katrina shared a wealth of information covering a wide range of topics. I didn’t count, but I’m sure there were more than 30 nuggets of gold in there.

There’s one big show-stopper lingering in my mind. Katrina layered and sewed two pieces of fusible interfacing to each other. That’s right – she stitched fusible interfacing to itself. I must say, that caught my attention. Then she trimmed the seam allowance and the other edges, too. What on earth is this woman doing? Really cool stuff, that’s what. It was all engineer-y and the kind of thing where you put the items’ attributes to work in a new way. I can’t wait to find a project to use that little gem.

Tunisian Crochet with Jennifer Hansen
I’ve been crocheting since I was 13 years old. Again, I’m self taught. I discovered Tunisian crochet years ago and made a few afghans. I hadn’t crossed paths with this type of stitch in a while, so I was excited to see this class. Jennifer offers a training ground for learning the ins and outs of this cool stitch. A simple beautiful square silk spa cloth is the first class project. Delightful – small, easy, get comfy – thank you!

Summary
Sooooo, now I can embroider some fabric, make it into a bag, use the proper interfacing, use great tricks to construct the bag, then carry my crochet project. Yep, that sounds about right!

How to Choose Classes
I’m already thinking about the next class I’ll take. It might be a cooking class. Hmmm. Each Craftsy class page has a lot of info to help me decide: class intro video, class description, lesson descriptions, and student reviews.

You’ll also see how many students have taken the class – that’s kind of nice, you know?

Craftsy, Take Me Away!
When you need to find your way to Craftsy, there will always be a link in the sidebar of my website. If you haven’t already done so, hop over to Craftsy and create your user account. There is no cost to do so. It’s just a username and password. Then surf around a bit and check out the classes, patterns and supplies they offer.
Enjoy!
Joan

]]>5Joan Hawleyhttp://www.LazyGirlDesigns.comhttp://www.lazygirldesigns.com/?p=106292015-06-01T13:50:13Z2015-06-01T13:50:13ZLazies, From start to finish, let me tell you about my trip to Denver to film my class with Craftsy. There was a ton of prep work before I left home. Much like when I travel for most of my business adventures, most of the hard work is done before I leave the driveway. Then it’s all just a matter of showing up and doing my thing. I have to say, it’s usually an adventure. Today is all about the stuff you won’t see in my Craftsy class. Remember to enter the giveaway for my class on last week’s blog post. Link at the bottom.

Takeoff
I like limey green. My luggage is limey green, some of it anyway. It’s easy to find – big green bags with the word Lazy strewn across. There is no line of people waiting to run off with this, I assure you.

I always travel with my limeys. Love my Tutto luggage!

Glamorous Business Travel
This might be what you think it looks like when I travel. Not even close.

I did get the start treatment at Craftsy and I appreciate their
attention to detail and effort to make the experience good all around.

This is what I feel like from time to time while on the road. Nothing is wrong in this picture. By the way, ever since my sister taught me how to text, I take selfies on my trips and text them to her.

No Joan Hawleys were hurt in the filming of this class.

A Room With A ViewThe accommodations are very, very nice. I get to press my clothing in very nice rooms and look out on beautiful scenery.

I always travel with my Press Perfect Iron Safe in case the hotel iron is challenged.

Nice view from my room of the mountains and the Denver Performing Arts Center.

The Big Show
We taped my class over three days. Three other instructors were there filming at the same time. They were lovely ladies, all teaching something different. We caught up with each other at the beginning and end of each day.

Then, a lot of work takes place. Days and days of talking, showing, sewing. Explaining, pressing, pinning. Set and reset the work table between each step. Take and retake. You forgot to say this. Your thumb was in the way. Let’s do it again.

Here’s a shot of the studio from the seat of the technical director at the back of the room.
Those are his two computer monitors at the bottom of the pic.

Filming
The set was pretty cool, all decked out in sewy-themed goodness. To film, Craftsy had three cameras going on me all the time: straight ahead for me talking to the camera, directly overhead to show my work on the table, and one over my left shoulder for details and at the machine.

My first instruction from Craftsy was the most awkard to accommodate. Talk to the camera in front of me while showing my work to the camera over my left shoulder. That’s like driving a car and reading a map in your side mirror. What? Exactly! It’s counter-intuitive. At first it was a brain-cruncher, but I got past that and it felt oddly comfy and natural by the end of the shoot. It made me feel like you were sitting next to me at the machine, working with me.

Under the Table
Because I’m tall I asked Craftsy to raise the work table for me so it would be comfy. Then they asked me to take off my shoes. I was totally good with that! And, I wore my comfy yoga pants through the whole shoot. Okay, that’s almost the truth. I call them my yoga pants, they are actually my jammie pants. Let’s just keep that between us, okay?

Scripting
Before I left home, I had many phone meetings where we scripted what would be shown for every segment of the class. We didn’t script my words, just the steps. A segment was every time I switched between sewing machine/cutting/pressing efforts. There were many segments. They lasted from about a minute to perhaps 7-8 minutes. I must say, laying out the whole class in that format was brain work. Exhausting brain work that can only be rescued, refreshed, and supported with tons of coffee.

Step-Outs
I prepared what are called step-outs for the class. This means preparing a part of the project ahead of time. This also means having enough fabric to make several parts of several projects, done to different stopping points along the way. In coffee terms, it would be like having four coffee makers on your counter, each prepped to a different step in making coffee, ending with a hot cuppa cuppa – that’s a happy ending. Think: logistics, notes, more logistics and finally more notes. The rule of thumb here is – you can’t have too many, so make a whole lot.

Squirrel Attack
In the middle of it all, just when I thought I had found my groove and was invincible, this happens. A squirrel pops up on the teleprompter.

I have no words for this. Darn squirrel. Okay I had a couple of words.

A technician from another studio stopped by for help in figuring out how to load an image onto the teleprompter. That squirrel popped up in the middle of my words and I nearly fell over. I have an unhappy past with squirrels. I know for sure that one in my yard has tried to kill me.

Breaks
The Craftsy studios were housed in a delightful building with some shared lunch and restroom space with other businesses. From the signage to the lunch tables, the artwork was fun and funky. The restroom sign caught me off guard as I initially thought it said ‘no man’, which also means woman, I suppose.

Beauty
Craftsy has a make-up artist do hair/make-up for all the instructors. That was very nice, I must say. However, I was told to not put on any make-up or do my hair before leaving the hotel each day. Um, no. I feel at least a little courtesy make-up and hair effort is in order to go eat breakfast in public. It all worked out fine.

Marathon
My trip to Denver was the first of four trips in a row beginning the middle of April. That’s a lot for me. I don’t usually travel that much. I’m home now. I’m pooped.

I left Denver feeling really good about the class I taught and the work I did. Thanks for coming along with me on my trip. It was absolutely fabulous.

Enjoy!
Joan

@becraftsy #craftsy

]]>13Joan Hawleyhttp://www.LazyGirlDesigns.comhttp://www.lazygirldesigns.com/?p=106112015-05-27T11:52:26Z2015-05-27T11:52:26ZLazies, Have you ever wanted to take a class with me? Well, I’m coming to your area very soon. Specifically, I’ll be coming to the vicinity of your computer screen or tablet. I recently taped a class with Craftsy and it will launch soon. To celebrate, one lucky Lazy will win free enrollment in my class and it might be you! I will have more to tell you about the class soon. But in the meantime, read on for the skinny on why I like and take classes, then click the link below for a chance to win.

Classes: sewing, quilting, photography,
cooking, gardening and more!

Have you taken an online class?
I’ve taken a half a dozen classes at Craftsy over the last two years and I’m impressed. Let me tell you about my experience. I feel like it’s just me and the instructor, working side-by-side.

I don’t just learn about the instructor’s specialty, I get all the juicy tidbits and pan scrapings that come along with the big meal of a project or topic they are serving. I learn what they use, why they like it, alternatives and options. I get to see them in action, doing their thing up close, showing me how to do the same, then supporting my questions if I have any.

About the Classes:
– Hours of HD video lessons
– Convenient to watch and very nicely done
– Watch on my desktop, laptop, tablet or smart phone
– I own the class and can watch as many times as I want…forever
– Make my own notes and bookmark them on the video, just pause and write
– Feels like one-on-one time with the instructor

How to Tell if You Will Like Online Classes
Do watch video tutorials online? Are you on Facebook and watch helpful videos posted by friends? Ever watch sewing/quilting shows on TV? Own any books/DVDs in your sewing library? Subscribe to hobby magazines? Do you like to know more about your hobby?

Do you have heroes in the sewing community from whom you’d like to learn more? Craftsy is access to experts in your hobby, wrapped up in a beautiful video format, with great support. There it is in a nutshell.

Here I am on the set where we filmed the class.
Check out that cool wallpaper! It’s all sewy!

Why Take A Class?
This is huge. I’ve taken a number of classes over the years. If you’ve ever attended a quilt/sewing show, watched a video, or taken a class before where you picked up one amazing detail/tip/technique – then you already know the value in trying these avenues.

My True Story
About 100 years ago (that part isn’t true) I attended the Original Sewing Expo in St. Charles, IL with two friends. I signed up for every class I could fit in while we were there. One class was about tailoring tricks. No matter my size, my pants have always gaped at my waist in the back. Argh! I picked up one tip in that class that allowed me to cleverly alter my waistband ever since. The tip was good. That one tip made the whole trip worth it – driving, hotel room, meals, admission, class fees, sewy purchases. All of it. The tip was that valuable to me, for my needs. And I don’t know where else I might have learned that at the time.

Stre-t-c-h
Take a class to stretch yourself in a new direction. Do it to add to your knowledge base. Do it to surprise yourself and fall in love with a new technique. I just enrolled in Lisa Shaw’s ‘Hoop Savvy’ class (link in the sidebar) in order to learn more about embroidery and understand how it can work with my bags. I’m taking a crochet class to help break out of the few stitches and patterns I’ve been making over the last 100 years.

Giveaway
Click this link to enter the giveaway at Craftsy by June 5, 2015.